Reinforcement plate for multiple row heat exchanger

ABSTRACT

A heat exchanger includes a pair of manifolds each extending between manifold ends and defining a plurality of slits disposed in a plurality of parallel slit rows and each slit having a center axis. The center axes of the slits in each of the slit rows are aligned in a row plane. Reinforcement members extend between reinforcement ends each of which have at least one tab for connection thereof to one of the manifold ends. Each of the manifolds has at least one retainer for clamping one of the reinforcement members thereto. Each of the tabs include at least one connector extending toward the adjacent manifold end. One of the connectors is centered on each of the row planes to define row isolating openings between adjacent connectors to isolate each of the row planes from differential forces of adjacent row planes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

A heat exchanger having multiple rows of tubes.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Heat exchangers having multiple rows of tubes are well known in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 6,736,193 to Kodumudi, for example, discloses a pair of manifolds in spaced relationship to each other. Each of the manifolds extends between opposite manifold ends. Each of the manifolds define a plurality of slits each having a centrally disposed center axis. At least one reinforcement member interconnects the manifolds and extends between reinforcement ends disposed adjacent the manifolds. Each of the manifolds has at least one retainer for clamping the adjacent one of the reinforcement members thereto. Each of the reinforcement ends defines at least one tab for connection thereof to one of the manifolds ends. The tab includes a lip being clamped by the retainer and at least one connector extending between the reinforcement end and the lip. US Patent Application Publication 2009/0151918 to Hur et al. discloses slits being disposed in a plurality of slit rows disposed in a side by side relationship and each of the slit rows extending between the manifold ends. The center axes of the slits in each of the slit rows are aligned in a row plane. A plurality of tubes are for carrying fluid between the manifolds and each of the tubes extends between the manifolds and has tube ends disposed in the slits.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides for one of the connectors being centered on each of the row planes to define row isolating openings between adjacent connectors to isolate each of the row planes from differential forces of adjacent row planes.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

The subject invention reduces the torque acting in each of the connectors from the differential forces of the row planes and greatly increases the thermal cycle life of the tubes by reducing thermal strain in the tubes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a heat exchanger according to the subject invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view of a heat exchanger according to the subject invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a heat exchanger according to the subject invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a heat exchanger according to the subject invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a heat exchanger according to the subject invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, a heat exchanger includes a pair of manifolds 20 in parallel and spaced relationship to each other. Each of the manifolds 20 extends between opposite manifold ends 22. Each manifold 20 has a D-shaped cross-section to define a pair of edges 24 extending between the manifold ends 22 and parallel to each other. A flat wall 26 extends between the edges 24. A curved wall 28 is arcuate and extends between the edges 24. The flat wall 26 and the curved wall 28 define a manifold chamber (not shown).

Each of the flat walls 26 of each of the manifolds 20 defines a plurality of slits 30. Each of the slits 30 has a centrally disposed center axis C. The slits 30 are disposed in a plurality of parallel slit rows R. The slit rows R are disposed in side by side relationship and each of the slit rows R extend between the manifold ends 22. The center axes C of the slits 30 in each of the slit rows R are aligned in a row plane P (as demonstrated in FIG. 2).

A plurality of tubes 32 are for carrying fluid between the manifolds 20 and each of the tubes 32 extends between the manifolds 20 and has tube ends 34 (not shown) disposed in the slits 30 (as demonstrated n in FIG. 3). In each of the tubes 32, a change in temperature causes relative expansion and contraction. The temperature of each of the tubes 32 changes individually of other of the tubes 32 and the tubes 32 create differential forces between the row planes P. Fins 36 extend between the tubes 32 for transferring heat between the tubes 32 and air passing the fins 36.

A pair of reinforcement members 38 each have a U-shaped cross-section interconnecting the manifolds 20. Each of the reinforcement members 38 extend between reinforcement ends 40 disposed adjacent to the flat walls 26 of the manifolds 20 and inwardly from the manifold ends 22.

Each of the manifolds 20 has at least one retainer 42 extending from each of the manifold ends 22 for clamping the adjacent one of the reinforcement members 38 thereto. Each of the retainers 42 is L-shaped including a first leg 44 extending perpendicularly away from the manifold end 22 and a clamp leg 46 extending from the first leg 44 in a direction parallel the adjacent one of the reinforcement members 38.

Each of the reinforcement ends 40 has at least one tab 48 for connection thereof to at least one of said retainers 42 at the adjacent one of the manifold ends 22. Each of said tabs 48 include a lip 54 being clamped by the adjacent one of the retainers 42 between the adjacent one of the manifold ends 22 and the adjacent one of the clamp legs 46 and extends arcuately outward therefrom and over the adjacent one of the manifold ends 22. At least one connector 50 extending outwardly from and between said reinforcement end 40 and said lip 54 thereof. Each of the lips 54 define a notch 56 in alignment with the adjacent one of the retainers 42 for securing the tab 48 laterally in the retainer 42.

The invention is characterized by one of the connectors 50 being centered on each of the row planes P to define row isolating openings 52 between adjacent of the connectors 50 to isolate each of the row planes P from differential forces of adjacent of the row planes P.

In an embodiment (as demonstrated in FIG. 3), the heat exchanger has two of the slit rows R. Each of the manifold ends 22 has one of the retainers 42. Each of the reinforcement ends 40 has one of the tabs 48 and each of the tabs 48 has two of the connectors 50.

In an embodiment (as demonstrated in FIG. 5), the heat exchanger has four of the slit rows R. Each of the manifold ends 22 has one of the retainers 42. Each of the reinforcement ends 40 has one of the tabs 48 and each of the tabs 48 has four of the connectors 50.

In an embodiment (as demonstrated in FIG. 4), the heat exchanger has four of the slit rows R. Each of the manifold ends 22 has two of the retainers 42 and the retainers 42 are side by side and spaced from each other. Each of the reinforcement ends 40 includes two of the tabs 48 and each of said tabs 48 is in alignment with a different one of the retainers 42 and has two of the connectors 50.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings and may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described while within the scope of the appended claims. That which is prior art in the claims precedes the novelty set forth in the “characterized by” clause. The novelty is meant to be particularly and distinctly recited in the “characterized by” clause whereas the antecedent recitations merely set forth the old and well-known combination in which the invention resides. These antecedent recitations should be interpreted to cover any combination in which the inventive novelty exercises its utility. The use of the word “said” in the apparatus claims refers to an antecedent that is a positive recitation meant to be included in the coverage of the claims whereas the word “the” precedes a word not meant to be included in the coverage of the claims. In addition, the reference numerals in the claims are merely for convenience and are not to be read in any way as limiting. 

1. A heat exchanger having multiple rows of tubes comprising: a pair of manifolds in spaced relationship to each other, each of said manifolds extending between opposite manifold ends, each of said manifolds defining a plurality of slits each having a centrally disposed center axis, said slits being disposed in a plurality of slit rows disposed in a side by side relationship and each extending between said manifold ends, said center axes of said slits in each of said slit rows being aligned in a row plane, a plurality of tubes for carrying fluid between said manifolds and each of said tubes extends between said manifolds and has tube ends disposed in said slits, said tubes creating differential forces between said row planes, at least one reinforcement member interconnecting said manifolds and extending between reinforcement ends disposed adjacent said manifolds, each of said manifolds having at least one retainer for clamping the adjacent one of said reinforcement members thereto, each of said reinforcement ends defining at least one tab for connection thereof to at least one of said retainers at the adjacent one of said manifold ends, each of said tabs including a lip being clamped by the adjacent one of said retainers and at least one connector extending between said reinforcement end and said lip thereof, and characterized by one of said connectors being centered on each of said row planes to define row isolating openings between adjacent of said connectors to isolate each of said row planes from differential forces of adjacent of said row planes.
 2. A heat exchanger as set forth in claim 1 having two of said slit rows and two of said reinforcement members and each of said manifold ends having one of said retainers and each of said reinforcement ends having one of said tabs and each of said tabs having two of said connectors.
 3. A heat exchanger as set forth in claim 1 having four of said slit rows and two of said reinforcement members and each of said manifold ends having one of said retainers and each of said reinforcement ends having one of said tabs and each of said tabs having four of said connectors.
 4. A heat exchanger as set forth in claim 1 having four of said slit rows and two of said reinforcement members and each of said manifold ends having two of said retainers and said retainers side by side and spaced from each other and each of said reinforcement ends including two of said tabs and each of said tabs being in alignment with a different one of said retainers and having two of said connectors.
 5. A heat exchanger as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one of said retainers extends from each of said manifold ends and each of said retainers are L-shaped including a first leg extending perpendicularly away from said manifold end and a clamp leg extending from said first leg in a direction parallel the adjacent one of said reinforcement members.
 6. A heat exchanger as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said connectors extend outwardly from and between said reinforcement end and said lip thereof.
 7. A heat exchanger as set forth in claim 6 wherein each of said lips extend arcuately outward from between the adjacent one of said manifold ends and the adjacent one of said clamp legs and over the adjacent one of said manifold ends.
 8. A heat exchanger as set forth in claim 7 wherein each of said lips define a notch in alignment with the adjacent one of said retainers for securing said tab laterally therein.
 9. A heat exchanger as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said manifolds have a D-shaped cross-section to define a pair of edges extending between said manifold ends and parallel to each other and a flat wall extending between said edges and a curved wall being arcuate and extending between said edges.
 10. A heat exchanger as set forth in claim 9 wherein a pair of said reinforcement members each have a U-shaped cross-section and said reinforcement ends are disposed adjacent said flat walls and inwardly from said manifold ends.
 11. A heat exchanger as set forth in claim 9 wherein each of said flat walls of each of said manifolds defining said slits.
 12. A heat exchanger as set forth in claim 1 wherein fins extend between said tubes for transferring heat between said tubes and air passing said fins.
 13. A heat exchanger having multiple rows of tubes comprising: a pair of manifolds in parallel and spaced relationship to each other, each of said manifolds extending between opposite manifold ends and having a D-shaped cross-section to define a pair of edges extending between said manifold ends and parallel to each other and a flat wall extending between said edges and a curved wall being arcuate and extending between said edges, each of said flat walls of each of said manifolds defining a plurality of slits each having a centrally disposed center axis, said slits being disposed in a plurality of parallel slit rows disposed in side by side relationship and each of said slit rows extending between said manifold ends, said center axes of said slits in each of said slit rows being aligned in a row plane, a plurality of tubes for carrying fluid between said manifolds and each of said tubes extends between said manifolds and has tube ends disposed in said slits, said tubes creating differential forces between said row planes, fins extending between said tubes for transferring heat between said tubes and air passing said fins, a pair of reinforcement members each having a U-shaped cross-section interconnecting said manifolds and extending between reinforcement ends disposed adjacent said flat walls of said manifolds and inwardly from said manifold ends, each of said manifolds having at least one retainer extending from each of said manifold ends for clamping the adjacent one of said reinforcement members thereto, each of said retainers being L-shaped including a first leg extending perpendicularly away from said manifold end and a clamp leg extending from said first leg in a direction parallel the adjacent one of said reinforcement members, each of said reinforcement ends defining at least one tab for connection thereof to at least one of said retainers at the adjacent one of said manifold ends, each of said tabs including a lip being clamped by the adjacent one of said retainers between the adjacent one of said manifold ends and the adjacent one of said clamp legs and extending arcuately outward therefrom and over the adjacent one of said manifold ends and at least one said connector extending outwardly from and between said reinforcement end and said lip thereof, each of said lips defining a notch in alignment with the adjacent one of said retainers for securing said tab laterally therein, and characterized by one of said connectors being centered on each of said row planes to define row isolating openings between adjacent of said connectors to isolate each of said row planes from differential forces of adjacent said row planes.
 14. A heat exchanger as set forth in claim 13 having two of said slit rows and each of said manifold ends having one of said retainers and each of said reinforcement ends having one of said tabs and each of said tabs having two of said connectors.
 15. A heat exchanger as set forth in claim 13 having four of said slit rows and each of said manifold ends having one of said retainers and each of said reinforcement ends having one of said tabs and each of said tabs having four of said connectors.
 16. A heat exchanger as set forth in claim 13 having four of said slit rows and each of said manifold ends having two of said retainers side by side and spaced from each other and each of said reinforcement ends including two of said tabs and each of said tabs being in alignment with a different one of said retainers and having two of said connectors. 